Back to Tradition: Log Cabins

We’re feeling a bit nostalgic today and thought we’d take it back to the good old days of log cabins. Log cabins have become an iconic image of humble origins and hard work. They originated in Northern Europe during the Bronze Age (3,500 BCE) and then settled in America in the 17th century. They were the first style of home for settlers.

It was inexpensive to build a log cabin back in the day. Lumber was everywhere in the untouched land. All the supplies needed to build a log cabin were trees, an axe or saw, and a froe. Most log cabins were one room or “pen”. If it was possible, some log cabins would have a few rooms or a loft to sleep in.

Images found on Pinterest

Building a log cabin would take one-two weeks with one man building it. With three or more men it could take a couple of days to complete it. Due to the logs being heavy the height of a cabin being built by one man would be between 6-7 ft. high. With more men helping the cabin could be taller. The length of a log cabin was usually between 12-20 ft. long. Men would look for long, straight logs and cut notches into the ends of the logs to fit the logs together. The open spaces between the logs was filled with a clay to give some insulation to the cabin.

Log cabins had one door and one or two windows. The door was usually facing south so that the sun could shine through the door the whole day. Because glass wasn’t used very often, greased paper or animal skin would be used to cover the windows. A fireplace would be located at one end of the cabin to provide warmth and a place to cook meals.

Images found on Google & www.tripadvisor.com

Just think of what it must’ve been like to live in a log cabin. Just a simple, wood structure in the forest. No plumbing, only a fireplace to warm the home, having to build the home yourself. These cabins definitely show the humbleness of the homes and people back in the day. What ways can we incorporate that humbleness in our homes?